Starting next season, Himara and the Ionian coast will have a typical Mediterranean look, both with regard to the city and the beaches. A series of investments are being made along the Ionian coast with funds of the Albanian government, who will make a re-evaluation of the tourism potential of the coast by next year. Prime Minister Edi Rama was in Himara and Qeparo to inspect works.
Himara has turned into a construction site following a 233 million ALL investment of the Albanian Development Fund for a thorough urban and landscape rehabilitation of the boardwalk and the main square. This upgrading project includes also standardization of the facades and the creation of an administrative centre which is typical of a Mediterranean city.
Interventions to the landscape architecture for urban development and recreational spaces are being made along the coastline Spille-Himare and on an area of 9880 square meters. The eexisting promenade is being transformed along with the natural terrain line that connects the buildings in front of the boardwalk. The project has maintained the characteristics of the area, since the materials used approach the natural elements of the beach. The planting of Mediterranean pines and the instalment in the northern part of the promenade of a tourist port are also part of the project.
“This is a very important investment, because it gives the town of Himare a final looks. Woks in the first phase are focused on of the promenade, while the second phase includes the facades and the city centre. Works will also be made to turn into a tourist port and to connect the road to the national road. This will give a great impetus to the development of business in the city centre. The promenade will be also a space for citizens to enjoy the seashore”- the mayor of Himare Jorgo Goro said.
Interventions will standardize the panorama of the city of Himara, thus putting an end to the perennial chaos. In addition to creating a new space and modern for the city, comprehensive interventions will enhance the tourism potential of Himare and in Albania, in addition to boosting economic and trade activity in the country. The urban revival will continue with other Coast beaches like Dhërmi, Jale, Qeparo and Vuno.
“In addition to paving the road to urban, environment and spiritual recovery, after more than 20 years these investments will transform Himara in a place where come to have a gust of fresh air. Himara’s identity also was badly damaged and covered in the aesthetic mud of bathorizem, which destroyed it severely and prevented it for years from developing its potentials. What is most important is the renewal will continue with the municipal square which will give Himara an administrative centre like every small but important tourist Mediterranean town. It will continue with the beaches of Dhermi and Jale that will be added to the map along with beach of Qeparo, to continue then with the identity recovery of Vuno and old Dhermi. So, within next year this package will create a new situation from the standpoint of the revaluation of the tourism potential”, Prime Minister Rama said after inspecting every work site in the city.
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Works have started in Qeparo for the extension of the promenade, the first segment of which ended before the start of the tourist season this year. The promenade stretches along the beach line of Qeparo up to its ending point, with a length of 2 kilometres and width from 5 to 7 metres. Characteristics of the area are being preserved during construction works, with irregular stone blocks for retaining walls. The promenade will be paved with stone tiles while its contours are designed in the form of battlements. Greenery and decorative lighting are other elements of the project. Epicentre of the promenade will be the panoramic street from where the Qeparo bay will be seen, and where various service points will be established. The final destination will be the dock for fishing boats and tourist yachts.
“The promenade of Qeparo, one of the biggest investments in Himara, will give a new boost not only to the area of Qeparo, but to the whole of the coast. Citizens of Himara have welcomed this transformation, and surrounding villages are asking to have their own promenades, since each of them has their own coastline” – the mayor of Himara, Mr. Goro told about the Project.
